Christmas Lights 2024-2025 in California

You won't see snow and frost in California, but you will still find an excellent demonstration of the Christmas spirit, making it a nice place to spend the holidays. Impressive light displays can be seen at Disneyland, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and Sacramento. Many cities offer ice skating, live music, entertainment, and Christmas treats.

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow in Los Angeles (November 15, 2024–January 5, 2025)

L.A. Zoo Lights is the brightest and most impressive light show in Los Angeles, featuring thousands of LEDs and giant snowflakes, as well as lavish decorations on trees and alleys in almost every corner of the Zoo. Laser technology and 3-D projections combined with music make the Christmas Zoo experience magical. Animated displays feature animals like elephants and lizards. Visitors can see real reindeer and visit Santa in his cottage. A welcome addition to this year's exhibit is the illuminated alpine forest with gorgeous trees, lighted rivers, and animal sculptures.

Tickets & Hours

The cost of tickets starts at $18, with members of the Zoo receiving early access to ticket sales. Parking near the venue is completely free. The event spans from 6 to 10 pm.

Candy Cane Lane Light Displays in Woodland Hills (November 23–December 24, 2024)

In Woodland Hills in Los Angeles, Candy Cane Lane has become an annual phenomenon recognized as one of Southern California's best Christmas light displays. Houses on Lubao and Oxnard streets put on amazing holiday displays and decorations. Neighbors compete against each other for the most lavish and extravagant decorations. There are giant animatronics, Santa Claus, and plenty of cartoon characters.

The decorations start to appear around Thanksgiving and stay until New Year's Eve. In recent years, the event has also featured vendors selling delicious food and snacks. Candy Cane Lane is open from 5:30 pm until 9 pm from Sunday through Thursday and from 5:30 pm until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. To ensure a safe and pleasant experience for the residents and visitors, guests are asked to visit Candy Cane Lane until 10 pm on weekdays and 11 pm on weekends.

Festival of Lights in Mission Inn, Riverside (November 23, 2024–January 6, 2025)

Every winter, the Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside holds the Festival of Lights, featuring over four million LEDs that transform the Main Street and Mission Inn Hotel into the winter wonderland. Carolers, horse and carriage rides, and an ice rink contribute to a festive atmosphere. Some great performers, including Matt Mauser, The Tijuana Dogs, and Richard Goodall also headline the event.

Kids like to ride a carousel or a Ferris wheel and stop by Gingerbread Shop. Drawing in more than 500,000 visitors annually, the Festival of Lights is a family-friendly tradition filled with merriment and fun. The event is open from 5 pm to 10 pm daily.

Disney Festival of Holidays (November 15, 2024–January 6, 2025)

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, is truly special during the holiday season. The amusement park annually holds signature Christmas and New Year's celebrations, with this year's event called the Festival of Holidays. At the resort, visitors have a chance to try out thrilling rides in the park, enjoy live entertainment, and interact with their favorite Disney characters in Christmas attire.

Don't forget to taste delicious multicultural food and beverages at the festival. The fireworks show sends vibrant colors into the sky while 500,000 lights illuminate the Disneyland alleys and streets. There is artificial snow, creating a winter illusion. Don't miss the Christmas Fantasy Parade, a one-of-a-kind experience.

Tickets & Hours

The cost of tickets depends on the day. Tickets cost around $119 to $194 for adults and around $112-183 for children between the ages of 3 and 9. Children under three can enter for free. Park Hopper upgrade allows you entry to the second park and costs an additional $65. The park is open from 8 am until 10 pm.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade (December 18–22, 2024)

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade showcases stunning decorations. Over 100 decorated vessels parade around the long 14-mile (22 km) Newport Harbor. The event lasts five nights, and you can watch it from one of the numerous waterfront cafes or the Marina Park to get the best experience.

You can also opt for a holiday lights cruise, which offers great views of the parade and the waterfront homes decorated with Christmas lights. Both the opening and closing days feature a fireworks display. The event takes place nightly from 6:30 to 10 pm.